Rail services between Bristol Parkway and Newport to be disrupted

As Network Rail continues the modernisation of the Great Western mainline, GWR is warning passengers that services between South Wales and Bristol Parkway will be disrupted during June and early July.

The work will help GWR to deliver the full benefit of new Intercity Express Trains, including more frequent services and quicker journeys.

From Saturday 16 June through to and including Friday 6 July the Network Rail works includes track lowering in the two Patchway tunnels, as well as track renewal in the Severn Tunnel. Further electrification works is also planned on the line between Bristol Parkway and Severn Tunnel Junction.

Added to this from Monday 11 June to Thursday 14 June work between Didcot Parkway and Swindon will see services diverted in the late evening.

How will my journey be affected Saturday 16 to Friday 6 July?

• An hourly train service will run between South Wales and London Paddington on a diversionary route, extending journey times by up to 40 mins
• A peak-time train service will run between Bristol Parkway and London Paddington. At off-peak times, customers should travel via Bristol Temple Meads – tickets will be accepted
• Taunton and Portsmouth Harbour services will start from Bristol Parkway instead of Cardiff Central. Replacement buses will run between Newport and Bristol Parkway

How will my journey be affected Monday 11 to Thursday 14 June?

• Services between London Paddington and South Wales will be diverted, and will not call at Didcot Parkway or Swindon in the late evening
• Last direct service from London Paddington will depart at 1915, calling at Swindon at 2015, and Bristol Parkway at 2040.
• Last direct service from Swansea will depart at 1729, calling at Bristol Parkway at 1901, and Swindon at 1930
• Buses will replace trains between Reading and Swindon

GWR Operations Director Rob Mullen said:

“This piece of work is an essential part to the electrification programme, and we advise our passengers to plan their journey before they travel.

“New Intercity Express Trains are already operating between South Wales and London providing more seats than the trains they replace. This electrification work, once complete, will enable us to deliver the full benefit of these new trains, including more frequent services and quicker journeys.”

During the period of works, concert-goers travelling to the Principality Stadium in Cardiff will also be affected. From Friday 21 to Sunday 24 June direct replacement buses will operate after the gigs to Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Parkway.

Network Rail engineers will also be working on the South Wales mainline from Monday 25 June until Friday 6 July, between the Severn Tunnel and Cardiff Central station, impacting Arriva Trains Wales services.

Travelling in Wales between 25 June and Friday 6 July?

• Arriva Trains Wales services between Cardiff and Cwmbran, and Cardiff and Ebbw Vale will be affected with rail-replacement bus services in operation.
• Services between Cardiff and Newport will be less frequent, with platform changes and minor re-timings at both stations.
• Services to Holyhead and Cheltenham will also be altered.

Notes to editors

Great Western Railway (GWR) provides high speed, commuter, regional and branch line train services. We help over 100 million passengers reach their destinations every year - across South Wales, the West Country, the Cotswolds, and large parts of Southern England.

We’re currently seeing the biggest investment in the network since Brunel so we can offer more trains, more seats, and shorter, more frequent journeys and continue the network’s heritage of helping connect more businesses to new and prosperous markets. Through a series of initiatives we aim to be a good neighbour to the communities we serve and are committed to making a positive social impact in those regions. Learn how we're Building a Greater West at GWR.com. GWR is a FirstGroup company.